In May 2025, Pets for Patriots launched a companion pet adoption program for Gold Star families. Who are these heroes in our midst?

Gold Star families

When someone serves in the military, their family shares in their service and sacrifice. Extended separations during training and deployment. Frequent moves to unfamiliar places. The uncertainty of not knowing on any given day if one’s hero will return.

If that service member is killed or declared missing in action—or dies later due to a service-connected injury—the spouse becomes part of what is known as a Gold Star family. The surviving husband or wife is called a Gold Star spouse.

The phrase ‘Gold Star’ started in World War I. Families hung blue stars in windows to show that a loved one was serving in the military. If that veteran died in action, families placed a gold star over the blue one. That gold star became a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice.

Over time Gold Star family, Gold Star spouses, and Gold Star wives became terms to honor those who lost their partner in military service. In recent years, many prefer Gold Star spouse instead of ‘wife’ because it includes husbands as well.

Today our nation recognizes parents, siblings, and children of the fallen as Gold Star family members.

Never forgotten

The life of a Gold Star spouse changes in many ways. They are vital guardians and champions of service members lost in action. Many support other Gold Star families, speak at memorials, or join groups for mutual comfort. Some participate in advocacy or nonprofit organizations centered around the needs of other families of the fallen.

And since about 40 percent of military families have children—many under the age of five—a large number of Gold Star spouses are the primary or sole caretaker of their children. In an instant they become both father and mother. Caretakers of their fallen heroes’ memories that are passed on to sons and daughters.

Gold Star spouses give voice to the critical role of family to our nation’s armed services and collective memory.

The weight of loss

Loss of a spouse is recognized as one of life’s most stressful events. These burdens may be particularly acute for Gold Star spouses, having lost a loved one in military action.

Those with young children barely feel time to grieve. In an instant they become the primary or sole caretaker of their households.

Some individuals might experience the widowhood effect, which increases the chance of death due to the burdens associated with loss of a spouse.

Compounding grief for Gold Star spouses is the lack of empathy from those closest to them. Their civilian peers, even those widowed, are often unable to grasp the unique anguish of losing a spouse in military action.

For all of these reasons Gold Star spouses face extraordinary emotional, physical, and social challenges.

Honoring Gold Star families

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the families of those who serve and have served. This sacred obligation is even more poignant to support those grieving their fallen heroes.

Gold Star Spouses Day is April 5th each year. It is a day to raise awareness of the plight of Gold Star families, with special focus on those who lost a husband or wife in service to our nation.

Gold Star family members live with the burden of their loss every day of the year. In recognition of their unique sacrifice, the Department of Affairs offers various forms of support, including direct compensation, education and job training, VA-backed home loans, and more.

Pets to the rescue

In May 2025 Pets for Patriots launched its Gold Star families companion pet adoption program. Built upon our similar and successful program for veterans, we now welcome applications from Gold Star spouses.

The Gold Star program mirrors that offered to veterans and service members, with necessary differences for proof of eligibility. But the benefits—including a year of personal follow up with every adopter—are the same.

In time we plan to expand the Gold Star program to include Gold Star parents, siblings, and adult children.

The innate therapeutic power of ‘ordinary’ rescue pets is equally beneficial to men and women who grieve their fallen heroes. And by extension, those with families—especially those with children at home—benefit from the vitality a dog or cat can bring.

Companion pets are an always there friend. They comfort in times of stress. They help military families bond through the shared responsibility of their care. And all they ask in return is for a fraction of the love, loyalty, and security that they bestow upon us.

Are you or do you know a Gold Star spouse who would benefit from a companion pet? Learn more and apply today.